Forward shielding safety device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a shieldable blood collection set as well as a needle assembly for use therein. The needle assembly includes a needle cannula having a puncture tip at a distal end thereof and a hub which supports the needle cannula. A hollow outer shield co-axially surrounds a distal end of the hub and has an inner surface which is in cooperating engagement with an outer surface of the hub. The hub includes a first tab extending outwardly at a position which is exposed from the outer shield, and the outer shield includes a second tab. The first tab and the second tab are configured such that opposing forces applied against the tabs cause the outer shield to move from a retracted position in which the puncture tip of the needle cannula is exposed, to an extended position in which the outer shield covers the puncture tip.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of Application Ser. No.10/100,307 filed Mar. 15, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to blood collection sets for safeand convenient handling of needles. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a blood collection set including a needle assemblyhaving a forward moving safety shield for protection from a used needletip.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Disposable medical devices having piercing elements are typicallyused for administering a medication or withdrawing a fluid, such asblood collecting needles, fluid handling needles and assemblies thereof.Current medical practice requires that the fluid containers and needleassemblies used in such systems be inexpensive and readily disposable.Consequently, existing blood collection systems, for example, typicallyemploy some form of durable, reusable holder on which detachable anddisposable needles and fluid collection tubes may be mounted. A bloodcollection system of this nature can be assembled prior to use and thendisassembled after usage. Thus, these blood collection systems allowrepeated use of the relatively expensive holder upon replacement of therelatively inexpensive needle and/or fluid collection tube. In additionto reducing the cost of collecting blood specimens, these bloodcollection systems also help minimize the production of hazardousmedical waste.

[0006] A blood collection set or intravenous (IV) infusion set typicallyincludes a needle cannula having a proximal end, a pointed distal endand a lumen extending therebetween. The proximal end of the needlecannula is securely mounted in a plastic hub with a central passage thatcommunicates with the lumen through the needle cannula. A thin flexiblethermoplastic tube is connected to the hub and communicates with thelumen of the needle cannula. The end of the plastic tube remote from theneedle cannula may include a fixture for connecting the needle cannulato a blood collection tube or some other receptacle. The specificconstruction of the fixture will depend upon the characteristics of thereceptacle to which the fixture will be connected.

[0007] In order to reduce the risk of incurring an accidentalneedle-stick wound, protection of used needle tips becomes important.With concern about infection and transmission of diseases, methods anddevices to enclose the used disposable needle have become very importantand in great demand. For example, some needle assemblies commonly employa safety shield that can be moved into shielding engagement with a usedneedle cannula without risking an accidental needle stick.

[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,085,639, 5,088,982 and 5,154,699 disclose safetywinged needle devices for use with blood collection sets or infusionsets. The safety needle devices of these patents include an inner tubeand an outer tube having cooperating surfaces in contact with eachother, with the cooperating surfaces having mating grooves and ramps. Byapplying a force in opposing directions on the inner and outer tubes,the outer tube is forcibly moved along the ramps and into engagementwith the grooves of the inner tube, thereby moving the outer tube, andtherefore the outer shield, into a shielding position and locking theshield in place about the needle tip. The cooperating surfaces of suchouter and inner tubes, however, provide a frictional engagement whichrequires much force to overcome. Moreover, maintaining an appropriategrip on the needle device to forcibly move the outer and inner tubesapart can be difficult due to the profile of the needle device.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,157 discloses a needle guard which includes a“thumb-knob” or protrusion on the outer guard to assist in manipulationof the outer guard by providing an abutment against which the thumb ofthe user can push in order to pull the needle and needle mount into theouter guard using only one hand. Retraction of the needle in thismanner, however, requires the user to grip the flexible tube in theuser's palm, which does not provide an effective gripping surface formaintaining the needle device in place during retraction, and may causethe flexible tube to be separated from the needle device duringretraction.

[0010] Accordingly, a need exists for a needle assembly for use with ablood collection set which achieves secure and effective shielding of aused needle tip and which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture andeasy to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is directed to a shieldable bloodcollection set as well as a needle assembly for use in a bloodcollection set. The needle assembly includes a hub including anelongated tubular body having an outer surface, a proximal end, a distalend and a passageway extending therethrough. The hub further includes afirst tab extending outwardly from the proximal end of the tubular bodyfor engagement with a user's finger. The distal end of the hub supportsa needle cannula, which includes a puncture tip at a distal end thereof.A hollow outer shield co-axially surrounds the distal end of the tubularbody of the hub. The outer shield includes a housing having a proximalend, a distal end and a passageway extending therethrough, as well as asecond tab extending outwardly from the housing for engagement with auser's thumb. The first tab extends from the tubular body of the hub ata position which is exposed from the proximal end of the outer shield,and the housing of the outer shield has an inner surface which is incooperating engagement with the outer surface of the hub.

[0012] The first tab and the second tab are configured such thatopposing forces applied against the first tab and the second tab causethe outer shield to move toward the distal end of the needle cannulafrom a retracted position in which the puncture tip of the needlecannula is exposed, to an extended position in which the outer shieldcovers the puncture tip of the needle cannula.

[0013] Desirably, the first tab extends from a bottom portion of the huband the second tab extends from a top portion of the housing of theouter shield at a position adjacent the first tab. As such, the firstand second tabs are configured for engagement with a user's finger andthumb, respectively, for activation and movement of the outer shieldfrom the retracted position to the activated position.

[0014] In particularly desirable embodiments, the outer surface of thehub includes a series of grooves and ramps and the inner surface of theouter shield cooperates with the outer surface of the hub. Suchcorresponding grooves and ramps provide for frictional engagementbetween the outer shield and the hub, thereby preventing the outershield from movement between the retracted position and the activatedposition until a force is exerted thereon.

[0015] The present invention further includes a blood collection setincluding a needle assembly as described, a fixture for connecting theblood collection set to a receptacle, and a flexible tube extendingbetween the blood collection set and the needle assembly at the proximalend of the hub.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blood collection set inaccordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a hub adapted for receiving a needlecannula;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a hub including a needle cannula;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a side view of the second groove section of the hubshown in FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a side view of the proximal end of the hub shown in FIG.2;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a side view of the first groove section at the distalend of the hub shown in FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a winged outer shield in accordance withthe present invention;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the outer shield shown in FIG. 7;

[0024]FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the proximal end of the outershield shown in FIG. 7;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the blood collection set shown inFIG. 1 showing the outer shield in a retracted position; and

[0026]FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the blood collection set shown inFIG. 1 showing the outer shield in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Referring to the drawings in which like reference charactersrefer to like parts throughout the several views thereof, FIG. 1illustrates a blood collection set 10 in accordance with the presentinvention and the related features. The present invention is generallydescribed in terms of a blood collection set, and encompasses such ablood collection set as well as a shieldable needle assembly for use insuch a blood collection set.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, blood collection set 10 includes a shieldableneedle device 12, a flexible tube 14 extending from needle device 12 anda fixture 16 mounted to flexible tube 14. Shieldable needle device 12 ofblood collection set 10 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2-9, and includes aneedle cannula 20, a hub 30 and an outer shield 50. Fixture 16 isconnectable to a receptacle (not shown) for use in blood collectionprocedures, as is known in the art.

[0029] Needle cannula 20 includes a proximal end 22 and an opposingdistal end 24, with lumen 26 extending through needle cannula 20 fromproximal end 22 to distal end 24. Distal end 24 of needle cannula 20 isbeveled to define a sharp puncture tip 28, such as an intravenouspuncture tip. Puncture tip 28 is provided for insertion into a patient'sblood vessel, such as a vein, and is therefore designed to provide easeof insertion and minimal discomfort during venipuncture. A removableprotective cover (not shown) may be positioned over distal end 24 ofneedle cannula 20 for protection from puncture tip 28 prior to use ofblood collection set 10.

[0030] Needle assembly 12 further includes hub 30. Hub 30 is a unitarystructure, desirably molded from a thermoplastic material. Hub 30 is agenerally elongated tubular body having a proximal end 32, a distal end34, an outer surface 36 and an internal passageway 38 extendingtherethrough from proximal end 32 to distal end 34. Needle cannula 20 ispositioned within and is supported by internal passageway 38 of hub 30,with distal end 24 of needle cannula 20 extending from distal end 34 ofhub 30. Desirably, needle cannula 20 and hub 30 are separate parts whichare fixedly attached and secured through an appropriate medical gradeadhesive or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, hub 30 may include arestriction 293 adjacent distal end 34 thereof, against which proximalend 22 of needle cannula 20 may abut. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3,needle cannula 20 may extend within the entire length of hub 30 to theproximal end 32 of hub 30.

[0031] Proximal end 32 of hub 30 is adapted for connection with aflexible tube 14 of blood collection set 10. Hub 30 desirably includesribs 46 extending circumferentially about outer surface 36 at proximalend 32 of hub 30, for coupling with flexible tube 14.

[0032] Hub 30 further includes a first tab 40 extending outwardly fromouter surface 36 at a location adjacent proximal end 32 of hub 30, andat a position distal to ribs 46. More particularly, first tab 40 extendsfrom outer surface 36 of hub 30 at a position in front of the connectionbetween hub 30 and flexible tube 14. In this manner, flexible tab 40 isaccessible to a user's finger when needle device 12 is assembled withfirst tube 14 in blood collection set 10.

[0033] Desirably, first tab 40 extends from outer surface 36 at a bottomportion of hub 30 adjacent proximal end 32 of hub 30. Moreover, firsttab 40 desirably extends in a direction toward flexible tube 14. Firsttab 40 includes a ramped surface 42 having protrusions 44 thereon, forproviding frictional engagement with a user's finger.

[0034] Needle assembly 12 further includes hollow outer shield 50. Outershield 50 includes a housing 52. Housing 52 is a unitary structure,desirably molded from a thermoplastic material, including a proximal end54, a distal end 56 and an internal passageway 58 extending betweenproximal end 54 and distal end 56. The inner wall of housing 52 definesan internal surface 60 therethrough.

[0035] Outer shield 50 further includes a second tab 62 extendingoutwardly from a top portion of housing 52 near proximal end 54 of outershield 50. Second tab 62 extends outwardly from outer shield 50 in adirection toward distal end 56 of outer shield 50. Second tab 62includes a ramped surface 64 having protrusions 66 thereon for providingfrictional engagement with a user's thumb.

[0036] Outer shield 50 co-axially surrounds distal end 34 of hub 30. Insuch a manner, proximal end 32 of hub 30 extends beyond proximal end 54of outer shield 50 such that first tab 40 of hub 30 extends beyondproximal end 54 of outer shield 50. Moreover, internal surface 60 ofouter shield 50 is in cooperating engagement with outer surface 36 ofhub 30. Outer shield 50 is movable between a retracted position in whichfirst tab 40 is exposed from proximal end 54 of outer shield 50 andpuncture tip 28 is exposed from distal end 56 of outer shield 50, and anextended position in which puncture tip 28 and distal end 24 of needlecannula 20 are covered by outer shield 50.

[0037] First tab 40 and second tab 62 are configured such that opposingforces applied against first tab 40 and second tab 62 cause outer shield50 to move toward distal end 24 of needle cannula 20 in a direction ofarrow 100 from the retracted position to the extended position.Protrusions 44 and 66 on first tab 40 and second tab 62, respectively,provide frictional engagement with the user's finger and thumb,respectively, to facilitate moving outer shield 50 from the retractedposition to the extended position.

[0038] Outer shield 50 may further include a pair of stabilizers in theform of wings 68 extending laterally from outer shield 50 at opposingsides thereof, providing blood collection set 10 as a butterfly-typewing assembly. Wings 68 assist in positioning and placing needle device12 and blood collection set 10 during a blood collection procedure andare adapted to lie flat against the surface of a patient's skin duringthe blood collection procedure. As such, wings 68 may be constructed ofa flexible material such that at least one, and desirably both, of wings68 can be bent toward each other and brought together between thefingers of the user to assist in positioning and placing needle device12 during venipuncture.

[0039] Housing 52 of outer shield 50 may also include a cutaway portion70 extending through at least one side of housing 52, and desirably,extending through both sides of housing 52 at opposing lateral sides.Cutaway portion 70 defines a flexible finger 72, which is adapted forradial outward flexing during movement of outer shield 50 from theretracted position to the extended position, thereby permitting slidingengagement of outer shield 50 with respect to hub 30 about thecooperating surfaces thereof.

[0040] In particularly desirable embodiments, outer surface 36 of hub 30and internal surface 60 of outer shield 50 include a plurality ofcorresponding grooves and ramped surfaces for providing cooperatingaxial movement therebetween in a predetermined manner. For example, asseen in FIGS. 2-6, outer surface 35 of hub 30 includes a front shoulder246 of relatively large diameter. The front shoulder 246 is defined by afront face 247 and a rear abutment face 248. Directly behind the frontshoulder 246 is a first groove 238 which is defined on one side by theabutment face 248 and on its other side by the termination (rearabutment face) 250 of a ramped surface 252. The ramped surface 252starts with a diameter smaller than that of the front shoulder 246 andramps downward away from the first groove 238. Ramp 252 terminates in along valley 242 defined by outer surface 36 of hub 30. The valley 242has a relatively constant diameter which is preferably substantiallyequal to the diameter of the first groove 238. The valley ends in a ramp254 which increases in diameter as it extends away from distal end 34and towards proximal end 32 of hub 30. Ramp 254 is followed by ramp 256which ramps down to a second groove 236. Second groove 236 is preferablyof a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of valley 242, andterminates in a rear abutment surface 259. Surface 259 is also theterminating surface of a rear ramp 262, which ends at portion 264extending along proximal end 32 of hub 30. First tab 40 and ribs 46extend from hub 30 at portion 264 extending along proximal end 32 of hub30.

[0041] As is best seen in FIG. 3, hub 30 may be non-cylindrical suchthat it will not rotate inside of outer shield 50. With such anon-cylindrical shape, front shoulder 246, and ramps 252, 254, 256, and262 do not appear on the bottom of outer surface 36 of hub 30. Thus, itshould be appreciated that when “diameter” dimensions are provided, theterm “diameter” is used in a broad sense to indicate relativecross-sectional dimensions.

[0042] Turning to FIGS. 7-9, details of the outer shield 50 in oneparticular embodiment are shown. Housing 52 of outer shield 50 may be.nearly semicircular in cross-sectional shape, with a flat bottom surface295. Flat bottom surface 295 is preferably a tapered surface (as seen inFIG. 8), with the thickness of the bottom increasing according to a twoand one half degree slope as it extends away from distal end 56 of outershield 50. As a result, when hub 50 and needle cannula 20 are positionedwithin outer shield 50, needle cannula 20 assumes a downward anglepreferably of about two and one half degrees, and is more easily andcomfortably inserted into the vein of the patient.

[0043] Internal surface 60 of housing 52 is of a diameter slightlylarger than the outer diameter of front shoulder 246 of hub 30. However,towards proximal end 54, the inner surface of housing 52 is arrangedwith two ramps 285 and 292, although, if desired, ramp 285 may bereplaced with a non-ramped protrusion. As seen in enlarged detail inFIG. 9, ramp 285 provides housing 52 with a decreasing inner diameter asit extends toward proximal end 54 of outer shield 50. Ramp 285terminates in an abutment face 289 which is followed by a flat surface287 having an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameterof shoulder 246 of hub 30. Flat surface 287 ends with ramp 292 whichalso has a decreasing inner diameter as it extends toward proximal end54 of outer shield 50. The inner diameter at the end of ramp 292,however, is of significantly smaller diameter than that of ramp 285.Internal surface 60 of outer shield 50 terminates in a flat protrusion234 of significantly smaller diameter than the diameter of the frontshoulder 246, with rear surface 299 provided at proximal end 54 ofhousing 52.

[0044] Blood collection set 10 can be packaged substantially in thecondition shown in FIG. 1. In particular, blood collection set 10 isprovided with needle device 12 assembled and including flexible tube 14extending from needle device 12 and connected to fixture 16. Prior touse, blood collection set 10 is removed from its package. After removingblood collection set 10 from its package, it can be assembled with otherappropriate medical equipment for use. Fixture 16 then may be connectedto an appropriate receptacle, such as a non-patient needle assembly anda needle holder, for providing fluid communication with lumen 26 throughneedle cannula 20.

[0045] To prepare for use of blood collection set 10, the user graspsblood collection set 10 at needle device 12 and removes the protectivecover (not shown) to expose puncture tip 28 of needle cannula 20. Themedical practitioner can then urge puncture tip 28 at distal end 24 ofneedle cannula 20 into a targeted blood vessel of a patient. During suchpositioning, at least one of wings 68 can be bent inwardly toward theother with the user's fingers to facilitate positioning and placing ofneedle device 12. Upon completion of the procedure, such as when alldesired samples have been drawn, needle cannula 20 is withdrawn from thepatient. After removal of needle cannula 20 from the patient, activationof the safety feature of needle device 12 is accomplished.

[0046] In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, the user grasps needle device12 in one hand, with the user's thumb engaging first tab 40 and one ofthe user's forefingers engaging second tab 62. Opposed forces areexerted on first tab 40 and second tab 62 through the user's thumb andforefinger. Such opposing force causes outer shield 50 to move in thedirection of arrow 100 from the retracted position to the extendedposition. Hence, puncture tip 28 of needle cannula 20 is safely shieldedby outer shield 50 in the extended position as shown in FIG. 11. Bloodcollection set 10 may then be appropriately discarded.

[0047] In embodiments where outer surface 36 of hub 30 and internalsurface 60 of outer shield 50 include a plurality of correspondinggrooves and surfaces for cooperating engagement as describedhereinabove, an initial force is required to overcome resistance ofprotrusion 234 sliding over ramp 256. In order to assist in suchmovement, flexible fingers 72 may flex radially outwardly from housing52 of outer shield 50, thereby decreasing the resistance and permittingaxial movement of outer shield 50 along hub 30. Once protrusion 234slides over ramp 256, little force is needed to continue sliding outershield 50 over valley 242 of hub 30. Additional resistance isencountered when ramp 252 of hub 30 encounters ramp 285 of housing 52,as well as when ramp 285 encounters front shoulder 246. With theapplication of differential force on first and second tabs 40 and 62,respectively, the design of needle device 12 including the cooperatingsurface assists in proper movement between the retracted position andthe extended position. In particular, radial flexing of flexible fingers72, the ramped nature of ramp 285 and the rounding of the edge ofshoulder 246, permit ramp 285 to be slid over front shoulder 246 untilit snaps over front shoulder 246 with abutment face 289 of outer shield50 in contact with abutment surface 247 of front shoulder 246 of hub 30.At the same time, protrusion 234 sits in first groove 238 with rearsurface 299 of outer shield 50 abutting abutment surface 250 of hub 30,and front shoulder 246 contacts surface 287. In this locked position,puncture tip 28 of needle cannula 20 is shielded entirely and securelyby outer shield 50. Two locking interactions are established (abutmentface 289 against shoulder 246, and rear surface 299 against surface 250)as seen in FIG. 6 to prevent return movement of outer shield 50 to theretracted position and reexposing of needle cannula 20, while therelative sizes of protrusion 234 and shoulder 246 prevent anypossibility of outer shield 50 being pulled forward off of hub 30.

[0048] While the needle assembly of the present invention has beendescribed in terms of one embodiment for use in connection with a bloodcollection system, it is further contemplated that the needle assemblycould be used with other medical procedures, such as in conjunction witha conventional intravenous infusion set, which are well-known in the artfor use with needle assemblies.

[0049] While the present invention is satisfied by embodiments in manydifferent forms, there are shown in the drawings and described herein indetail, the preferred embodiments of the invention, with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered asexemplary of the principles of the invention and is not intended tolimit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. Various otherembodiments will be apparent to and readily made by those skilled in theart without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Thescope of the invention will be measured by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed:
 1. A needle assembly, comprising: a needle cannulahaving a proximal end and a distal end with a puncture tip; a hubcomprising an elongated tubular body having an outer surface, a proximalend, a distal end and a passageway extending through said hub, saiddistal end of said hub supporting said needle cannula, said hub furthercomprising a first tab extending outwardly from said proximal end ofsaid tubular body; and a hollow outer shield comprising a housing havinga proximal end, a distal end, a passageway extending from said proximalend to said distal end, and a second tab extending outwardly from saidhousing, said outer shield co-axially surrounding said distal end ofsaid tubular body of said hub and including an inner surface incooperating engagement with said outer surface of said tubular body ofsaid hub, said outer shield movable between a retracted position inwhich said first tab extending from said tubular body is exposed fromsaid proximal end of said outer shield and said puncture tip of saidneedle cannula is exposed from said distal end of said shield, and anextended position in which said outer shield covers said puncture tip ofsaid needle cannula; wherein said first tab and said second tab areconfigured such that opposing forces applied against said first tab andsaid second tab cause said outer shield to move toward said distal endof said needle cannula from said retracted position to said extendedposition.
 2. A needle assembly as in claim 1, wherein said first tabextends from a bottom portion of said hub and said second tab extendsfrom a top portion of said housing of said outer shield.
 3. A needleassembly as in claim 1, wherein said outer shield includes a pair ofwing members extending laterally from opposing sides of said housing. 4.A needle assembly as in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said hubincludes a series of grooves and ramps and said inner surface of saidouter shield cooperates with said outer surface of said hub, saidgrooves and ramps providing frictional engagement between said outershield and said hub.
 5. A needle assembly as in claim 4, wherein saidhousing of said outer shield includes at least one cutaway portionextending through said housing and defining a flexible finger, said atleast one flexible finger adapted for outwardly flexing during movementof said outer shield from said retracted position to said extendedposition.
 6. A needle assembly as in claim 1, wherein said proximal endof said hub is adapted for connection to a flexible tube of a bloodcollection set.
 7. A needle assembly as in claim 1, wherein said firstand said second tabs include protrusions for frictional engagement witha user's finger and thumb, respectively.
 8. A shieldable bloodcollection set comprising: a fixture for connecting the blood collectionset to a receptacle; a flexible tube having opposed first and secondends, said first end of said flexible tube being connected to saidfixture; a hub including an elongated tubular body having an outersurface, a proximal end, a distal end and a passageway extending throughsaid hub, said proximal end of said hub mounted to said second end ofsaid flexible tube, said hub further including a first tab extendingoutwardly from said tubular body at said proximal end of said hub forengagement with a user's finger; a needle cannula extending from saiddistal end of said hub, said needle cannula including a proximal end anda distal end having a puncture tip; and a hollow outer shield comprisinga housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a passageway extendingtherethrough, said outer shield co-axially surrounding said distal endof said tubular body of said hub such that said first tab of said hub isexposed from said proximal end of said outer shield, said outer shieldadapted for movement between a retracted position in which said puncturetip of said needle cannula is exposed from said distal end of saidshield, and an extended position in which said outer shield covers saidpuncture tip of said needle cannula, said housing of said outer shieldhaving an inner surface in cooperating engagement with said outersurface of said hub and a second tab extending outwardly from saidhousing for engagement with a user's thumb; wherein said first tab andsaid second tab are configured such that opposing forces applied againstsaid first tab and said second tab cause said outer shield to movetoward said distal end of said needle cannula from said retractedposition to said extended position.
 9. A blood collection set as inclaim 8, wherein said first tab includes a ramped surface extendingoutwardly from said tubular body of said hub at said proximal end ofsaid hub in a direction toward said flexible tube.
 10. A bloodcollection set as in claim 8, wherein said second tab includes a rampedsurface extending outwardly from said housing of said outer shield atsaid proximal end of said outer shield in a direction toward said distalend of said outer shield.
 11. A blood collection set as in claim 8,wherein at least one of said first tab and said second tab includesprotrusions on a surface of said tab for providing a frictionalengagement with a user.
 12. A blood collection set as in claim 8,wherein said first tab extends from a bottom portion of said hub andsaid second tab extends from a top portion of said housing of said outershield.
 13. A blood collection set as in claim 8, wherein said outershield includes a pair of wing members extending laterally from opposingsides of said housing.
 14. A blood collection set as in claim 8, whereinsaid outer surface of said hub includes a series of grooves and rampsand said inner surface of said outer shield cooperates with said outersurface of said hub, said grooves and ramps providing frictionalengagement between said outer shield and said hub.
 15. A bloodcollection set as in claim 14, wherein said housing of said outer shieldincludes at least one cutaway portion extending through said housing anddefining a flexible finger, said at least one flexible finger adaptedfor outwardly flexing during movement of said outer shield from saidretracted position to said extended position.